Biomedical subjects

Soo Kon Lee

Publications and source records attributed to Soo Kon Lee.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Elevated interleukin-18 levels correlated with disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus.

The aim of this study was to determine the serum interleukin-18 (IL-18) levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to assess their relationship with disease activity. Thirty-five patients with SLE and 35 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled in this study. Paired serum samples were collected from all the patients with SLE, both at active stage before treatment and at the stable stage after treatment. The serum IL-18 levels were determined using ELISA and their correlations with the disease activity, measured using the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and laboratory parameters such as anti-dsDNA antibody, CH50, C3, C4, and circulating immune complex levels, were analyzed. The serum IL-18 levels in patients with SLE were significantly higher than those in the controls, particularly when the disease status was active (mean+/-SD: active stage, 721.23+/-360.15 pg/ml; inactive stage, 343.68+/-317.78 pg/ml; controls, 113.98+/-13.22 pg/ml, p<0.05). The IL-18 levels measured at the active stage before treatment correlated well with SLEDAI (r=0.41, p<0.05) and anti-dsDNA antibody titer (r=0.35, p<0.05). When we compared the changes of the IL-18 level and those of parameters reflecting the disease activity between the active stage and the stable stage of the disease, it was found that the changes in IL-18 level correlated well with the changes of SLEDAI score during the patient's disease course (r=0.39, p<0.05). In conclusion, the serum IL-18 levels were elevated in patients with SLE, and these increased levels correlated well with SLE disease activity.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Curriculum design for problem-based learning on a volunteer basis: a Yonsei approach.

Innovative new medical programs such as Problem Based Learning (PBL) are being developed worldwide. An increasing number of medical schools are starting to introduce these programs into or even to replace the existing curriculum. At Yonsei University College of Medicine (YUCM), we developed our own PBL curriculum and evaluation method. In order to develop a program suitable for our school, we suggest that for trial purposes, a small number of student and teacher volunteers should be selected and that the tutors involved in the program be given adequate training.

Education, Medical↗

PubMed2002

Aortic valve involvement in Behçet's disease. A clinical study of 9 patients.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical features, pathologic findings, postoperative results and the effects of immunosuppressive therapy in patients with Behçet's disease (BD). METHODS: We reviewed the postoperative course of the 9 BD patients who underwent a total of 17 aortic valve replacement procedures with prosthetic valves. RESULTS: Histological examination of the aortic valve commonly revealed diffuse myxoid degeneration (75 percent). Of 17 valve replacement surgeries, 13 surgeries resulted in complications, such as detachment of the prosthetic valve with perivalvular leakage and dehiscence of the sternotomy wound, within an average of 5 months (range from 1 month to 14 months). The rate of prosthetic valve detachment was 76 percent (13 of 17 surgeries). Four of the 9 patients (44 percent) who underwent aortic valve replacement procedures died of heart failure or infection associated with the detachment of the prosthetic valve, and perivalvular leakage within an average of 9 months. Aortic insufficiency associated with dehiscence of the prosthetic valve developed in 11 of 12 surgical cases (92 percent) with a mechanical valve and 2 of 5 surgical cases (40 percent) with tissue valves. Thirteen of 15 surgeries (87 percent) which were not given postoperative immunosuppressive therapy developed complications, while none of 2 surgeries that used postoperative immunosuppressive therapy with prednisolone (1 mg/kg/day) and azathioprine (100 mg/day) had these complications. CONCLUSION: The rates of prosthetic valve detachment in BD involving aortic valve were higher than those of other diseases. Aortic valve involvement was also one of the poor prognostic factors in BD. Intensive postoperative immunosuppressive therapy and surgical methods may be important factors for postoperative results.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

MR evaluation of radiation synovectomy of the knee by means of intra-articular injection of holmium-166-chitosan complex in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: results at 4-month follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether MRI is able to demonstrate the effect of radiation synovectomy after the intra-articular injection of holmium-166-chitosan complex for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis of the knee. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen patients aged 36-59 years were treated with 10-20 mCi of holmium-166-chitosan complex. A criterion for inclusion in this study was the absence of observable improvement after 3- or more months of treatment of the knee with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. MR images were acquired both prior to and 4-months after treatment. Clinical evaluation included the use of visual analog scales to assess pain, and the circumference of the knee and its range of motion were also determined. MR evaluation included measurement of the volume of synovial enhancement and wall thickness, the amount of joint effusion, and quantifiable scoring of bone erosion, bone edema and lymph nodes. RESULTS: Visual analog scale readings decreased significantly after radiation synovectomy (p < 0.05). MRI showed that joint effusion decreased significantly (p < 0.05), and that the volume of synovial enhancement tended to decrease, but to an insignificant extent (p = 0.107). CONCLUSION: The decreased joint effusion noted at 4-month follow-up resulted from radiation synovectomy of the rheumatoid knee by means of intra-articular injection of holmium-166-chitosan complex.

Adult↗